1 Samuel 20:6

Authorized King James Version

If thy father at all miss me, then say, David earnestly asked leave of me that he might run to Beth-lehem his city: for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the family.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
אִם
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#2
יִפְקְדֵ֖נִי
at all
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
#3
יִפְקְדֵ֖נִי
at all
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
#4
אָבִ֑יךָ
H1
If thy father
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#5
וְאָֽמַרְתָּ֗
me then say
to say (used with great latitude)
#6
נִשְׁאַ֨ל
asked
to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand
#7
נִשְׁאַ֨ל
asked
to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand
#8
מִמֶּ֤נִּי
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#9
דָוִד֙
David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#10
לָרוּץ֙
leave of me that he might run
to run (for whatever reason, especially to rush)
#11
בֵּֽית
H0
#12
לֶ֣חֶם
to Bethlehem
beth-lechem, a place in palestine
#13
עִיר֔וֹ
his city
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
#14
כִּ֣י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#15
זֶ֧בַח
sacrifice
properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)
#16
הַיָּמִ֛ים
for there is a yearly
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#17
שָׁ֖ם
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
#18
לְכָל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#19
הַמִּשְׁפָּחָֽה׃
there for all the family
a family, i.e., circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to 1 Samuel. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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